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Two D.C. Attorneys Playing Key Roles in Vick Case

Two prominent Washington-area lawyers became involved in the Michael Vick case this week.

On Monday, Vick hired William R. "Billy" Martin to represent him. Martin is a partner at Sutherland Asbill & Brennan whose clients have included former NBA player Jayson Williams, Monica Lewinsky and her mother and the parents of Chandra Levy.

On Tuesday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell named Eric Holder, a partner at Covington & Burling, to oversee the league's review of the case that is to determine Vick's playing status. Holder formerly served as the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia and was the deputy attorney general under President Clinton. Holder's firm is the NFL's outside counsel. Paul Tagliabue worked there before being hired as NFL commissioner, and current Covington & Burling attorney Gregg Levy finished second to Goodell last year in the balloting of the franchise owners to find Tagliabue's replacement.

Holder declined to comment about his role in the review, and Martin has not returned messages seeking comment on the case. NFL officials seem to expect Martin and perhaps Vick to speak to reporters after Vick makes his initial court appearance this afternoon in Richmond.